Mark Oskar's Articles (13)

No one will deny that Rafael Nadal has had a difficult year thus far.

He won the Australian Open at the start of the season, continuing a magical run through the 2008 season, however that seems like a decade ago now (doesn't it?). Beyond the Australian Open and leading up to the French, Nadal was simply being "Nadal".… Continue

The former top 10 player, Paradorn Srichaphan is apparently still looking to return to tennis after leaving tennis more than 2 years ago due to a wrist injury.



Wildly popular in Asia, the Thai player was a promising player with character and game. A serious wrist injury however stalled Paradorn's career in 2007 and he hasn't played a tournament since.



Most have written him off after he married a former Miss Universe, headed into… Continue

The Bryan Brothers are the #1 team in tennis.

Nestor and Zimonjic are #2.

The Bryans regained #1 after dethroning Mr.Nestor from the #1 position.

Nestor-Zimonjic hold a 5-3 lead over the brothers in head to head match-ups.



The Bryan's and of course Nestor (with relatively new partner) are easily the most decorated and accomplished doubles pairs in mens tennis. They own all of the titles, including Olympic Gold between… Continue

Less than an hour to go before the French final between Robin Soderling, and Roger Federer. Both players are certainly performing their final preparations before taking the stage...Most which are mental preparations, and you have to believe that the mindsets of each warrior is slightly different.

Whether Soderling likes it or not, this is uncharted territory. Robin has gone far further than he has (boldly) ever gone before in a slam, and he's got… Continue

Soderling has done it again.



To many, this is probably one of the most improbable runs at a Grand Slam in recent memory. While he certainly isn’t the lowest ranked player to get this far, Robin Soderling has never made it past the 3rd round of any major, ever! The guy has not even won a clay event in his life...And here in France, Soderling has not only made it to the finals, he defeated arguably the greatest clay court player of all time, in what was one of the… Continue

This was a pretty tough one to call.

Does Soderling not show up after the massive victory against Nadal? Or does he put things right back into 5th gear and play a highly aggressive, high risk tennis?



Those questions were answered pretty quickly with Soderling crushing the Russian, 6-1, 6-3, 6-1.

Soderling again played ultra aggressive tennis with deep, deep groundies that make it hard for anyone out there to hit deep back. Soderling was rewarded with all kinds of short,… Continue

Rafa Nadal, the undisputed King of Clay was shocked this afternoon by the Swedish maestro in Robin Soderling. With Soderling coming out firing with his big forehand and aggressive play, Nadal was kept on the back of his feet for a significant amount of time. The final score - 6-2, 6-7, 6-4, 7-6. With that, the perfect record, the consecutive French Open record, and the opportunity for the annual Grand Slam fade into the night.



Soderling was aggressive as hell out there, firing… Continue

Did you see that coming? I didn't see that coming...Did anyone see that coming?



Wow.



Novak Djokovic was sent packing earlier today after running into a hot German in Philipp Kohlschreiber (29th seed). Straight sets, 6-4, 6-4, 6-4, and away we go.



With Djokovic's loss, Roger Federer avoids what was a previously a hot clay-court player and sits with a much easier path to the finals. That is of course if the German doesn't show us this again.



Novak had… Continue

Andy Murray breezed by a defaulting Tipsarevic on Friday and now faces a solid clay court test in Marin Cilic. Cilic the number 13 seed has big serves, and solid game which will surely give Murray some challenges out there.



The 6 foot 6 inch Croat, is one of these kids on the rise. 2008 was a notable year for Cilic making it to the 4th round in Australia, 4th round at Wimbledon, Quarterfinals in Toronto, won New Haven, and made 3rd round at the U.S Open.



He can produce… Continue

Roger Federer.

The ex-King of the tennis world.

The former invincible one.

The man with shots that never existed before.



Roger Federer, (on the brink of being) the #3 player in the world.



Wow.



That just sounds wrong, doesn't it?

But here we have it...Roger doesn't make the finals this week and Andy Murray takes over the #2 spot in the ATP rankings. Andy Murray will instantly hold a better position… Continue

My perhaps "unpopular" view on the Gasquet suspension...

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Richard Gasquet has officially been suspended by the ITF after testing positive for Cocaine in his system.



He will miss the French Open and a hearing will take place in about 60 days to further examine the situation.



Richard tested positive back in March however, later tested negative only a few days ago (May 7th). Gasquet is of course pleading innocent here.



Is it any coincidence that I… Continue

April 2009 Post - The Tennis News Authority

For those of us who watched tennis during the 80's, Ivan Lendl was always there, always a part of the big stage, and always in the thick of things.



Whether Lendl was taking strides across the lawn at Wimbledon to hit a forehand winner past Boris Becker, or dismantling John McEnroe at the French Open to hand him his most influential loss,… Continue

The world of Twittering exploded onto the scene only a short while ago. While CNN and that Punk'd guy are finding millions of followers, there is a significant tennis scene available on the app as well! Let's take a look at some of the obvious choices, and some not so obvious. The list below will be the search name as well.



1) andyroddick - - Funny updates true to Roddick form. "i feel like i am watching a rerun of last years sportscenter..... will favre return again? my lord" - May… Continue